Automobile-truck.



D. GERBER.

AUTOMOBILE TRUCK.

APPLIGATIOE FILED AUG. 22, 1912.

L@?5 ??Qg Patanfie 60%. 14, 1913 2 SHEBTSr-SHEET 1.

1 mg; i

GERBER.

AUTOMOBI E TRUCK.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 22, 1912.

Fatima 0615.14, 1913.

Z SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INJENTOE DWIGHT GERBER,

F BELLEVUE, PENNSYLVANIA, AS$IGNOE 0F ONE-HALE TO' WIBL-IAM KEEFER, 0F PITTSBURGH, FENNSYLVANIA.

AUTOMOBILE-TRUCK.

Specification of Letters Patent. Pat gmt d g t 1 i93..

Applieationfileit August 22, 1912. Serial No. 716,369.

specification.

nism which is actuated by the vehicle drivusual design. 7 t ing means, provision being hadfor operat- Super osed on the side channels 2 and 3' 2G ing the dumping mechanism either when of the c ass1s 1s a supplemental horizontal 7&3:

zgiven pla ce, as when a load is made The object of this invention is to providean automobile truck which while adapted for general truck-service is designed-especially for hauling coal, sand,--gravel,. and other commodities, with means for dumping or discharging the loadin one place, or for distributing t 0 load, as for-instance gravel on a-road.

The invention includes dumpin mechathe truck is at a standstill or when it is moving forward;

Theinvention also includesmeans for disportion of the load at a u of say two deliveries of coal, also for discharging the entire :loadwhere it comprises a single delivery. It is characteristic of the inventionthat the-load-diseharging mechanism is actuated by the truck driving or pro elling means, and the several mechanisms w ereby all of the foregoing operations are formed are fully described hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is aside elevation of a truck constructed in accordance with the invention. Figs. '2 and 3 are cross sections on lines 2-2 and El -3, respectively, of Fig. 1. Fig. 4: is aview of the truck body, frame, and load discharging conveyor, portions thereofbeing shown in side elevation, and other portions in longitudinal section. Fig. 5 is a- View of a por tion' of the rear-'endof thebody frame and conveyor, shown partly in elevation and charging only a partly in section. Figs. 6 and Tare vertical-cross sections on lines 6-45 and -77, respectively,-of Fig. 5. Figs. 8 and 9 are details of mechanisms Fig. 10 is a cross section on line 1010,'of Fig. 4. Fig. 11 is a detail of awedging device for holding the body against vertical movement. Figs. 1% and-13 are; details of one of the endless chains of I ward-1y the body actuating and securing Referring to the drawings, 2 and 3 are the opposite longitudinal channel bars of the truck chassis which-latter is mounted in any suitable manner on thedrivin rear ground wheels 4 and front ground w eels 5. Exea tending transversel of the chassis is shaft 6 with sprocket whee s 7 thereon connectedby chains 8 to the larger sprocket wheels 9 on round wheels 4. The construction thus far escribedis well. known in the art and for 6-5 which no novelty ,is claimed, and the same is true of the motor mechanism and the means employed for transmitting power to shaft 6. The present invention contemplates the use of any suitable truck chassis, the imas v proved mechanism being of such constructionas lS 1.8ld1ly' adapted to any chassis of frame which consists primarily of the longitudinal inwardly facing channels. 10 which parallel-bar's 2 and 3. Channels 19 are, secured to the'cross tie elements 11 which rest immediately on bars 2 and 3. As the'space as the-superposed mechanismis centered on the chassis. in the preferredadaptation cross ties '11 are in the form-of angles, Figs. 4, 5 and 6, and secured in these angles so as to rest'on bars 2 and 8- are the short downwith intu-rned bottom edges 13. .Slidable in eaclrof these channels is a pair of blocks 14:

and 15 which'are secured together by bolts 18. A wing 17 depending from block M enga and the hook likeprojeetion 18 on block 15 embraces the flange-0f channel 2 and -oper ates to clamp channel flanges 13 to the bar when bolt 16 is tightened-up. By this means the mechanism is securely fastened to the frame after-having been properly centered thereon.

superposed on the su-pplemental frame l0 is the bottomless hopper-likebody 20 which when hauling a'load is lin the pesitionshown; 1

in Fig. 1 with its rear end coincidenttherear endof the supplemental frame. The

rear-endwall of the body may he closedby] facing channel-like pieces 12 formed os the-flat 'face' ofchannel bar 2 (or-3), as

a gam -21, and at thebase of the gate-closed the'load discharging. conveyor. Fig. 14 is a opening-atransveree rollen QiZ may be re tfit 55 detail of the conveyer drivingigearingo one end of the shaft 34 is beveled movably mounted in sockets 23 for facilitating the unloadi of lumber or other material in lengths t at may be hauled on the truck. While the truck body is movable longitudinally of the frame for dumping coal, gravel, and like commodities, it is at all other times secured against such movement, the securing means here shown consisting of a downwardly facing hook 24 mounted adjacent the forward end of the body and-- adapted to be secured by latch 25, and the latter in turn may be held in locked position by cam 26, Figs. 1 and 8.

An endless conveyer 30, consisting of cross slats 31 and roller chain links 32, is mounted on the transverse shafts 33 and 34 at the front and rear ends, respectively, of supplemental frame 10, shaft 34 being provided presently described.

When a load of coal or other bulk material is to be discharged from body 20, latch 24 is released and the conveyer set in motion with the upper portion thereof, forming a bottom for body 20, moving in a rearward direction. Wit-h body 20 released{ it moves rearwardly from the conveyer an provides a cavity or opening through which the contents of the body are discharged. The backward movement of the body is arrested by a wedge-shaped hook-like block 40one at either side of the bodysecured in a socket 41 formed in an upright rib 42 of the body side-sheet, the hook block 40 adapted to ride up on the headed extremity 43 of post or bracket 44 rising from the rear end of frame 10. Post head 43 overhangs.

the Z-bar 38, Fig. 6, and limits the upward movement of the body, at the same time. permitting it to be raised clear of roller links 32, as shown in Fig. 6, and also holding the body against further rearward movement. After the movement of the body has been thus stopped the movement of conveyer 30 beneath the load is continued until the body or so much thereof as is to be dumped is empty.

Wedge-blocks 40 may be variously positioned on the body, several of braces 42 being formed with sockets 41 to receive the blocks,-as shown in Figs. 1 and 4 so that more or less of the 'body may be projected from the rear end of the truck as may be desired. Thus, if only a small discharge opening is wanted, as for scattering gravel or other material on a road, the stop blocks are set to permit the body to project only slightly. For larger openings the blocks may be set further forward on the body, as will be understood. In Fig. 4 the body is shown provided with a central partition 45 for dividing a loadsuch as coal into two parts for separate deliveries, and the stop blocks 40 may be at first set to permit the body to move rearwardly for discharging the first portion of the load, and then re-. setto permit the discharge of the forward portion. I

While the wedge-like stop blocks 40 elevate the rear portion of the body so that the conveyer chains may'move freely therebeneath, Fig. 6, the front portion of the body is permitted to drag on the roller links, as in Fig. '9, and an oscillating or jarring motion may be imparted to the body by providing it at each side with a roller 46, Figs. 9 and 10, which is adapted to ride over the roller chain links, as in Fig. 10, and then drop therebetween, as in Fig. 9, thus alternately raisin and lowering the body which has the e ect of shaking the load and keeping it settled on the conveyer.

For returning the body to closed or normal position at the completion of the dumping operation, the direction of movement of conveyer 30 is reversed and hook latch 24, which in the first described movement permits the roller links tomove freely therebeneath, engages one of the roller links on the reverse movement, as in Fig. 9, and draws the body and any load thatmay be contained therein forward into the position 1 shown in Fig. 1, and brings the hook latch into the position shown in Fig. 8, a fixed pin 27 raising the hook latch and causing it to be engaged by catch 25. The longitudinally movable body is held against lateral displacement by the upright guides 47 provided with vertical rollers 48, Figs. 3 and 4, and the body is also held by guides 49 having inwardly extending upper extremities -each carrying a roller 50 atits upper end which overhangs Z-bar 38, Figs. 4 and 11, with the spring-held wedges 51 mounted on the Z-bars adapted to wedge beneath rollers 50, thus holding the body against vertical movement when in closed or non-dumping position, see Figs. 1 and 11.

A laterally extending downwardly inclined chute 52 may be arranged at the rear end of the conveyer for directing the discharging load to one side of the roadway, as into a coal hole or pavement vault,

the chute being supported by a loop-like bracket 53 removably secured to chassis bar 2, as indicated at 54, Fig. 1, while the upper end of the chute may be removably secured by a support 55 to .bar 3, Fig. 4. A

novnvao worm conveyor 56 within chute 52 for discharging the material therefrom may be driven at its upper end by a chain gearing 57 connecting it with one end of the conveyer shaft 34;.

The conveyer driving mechanism consists of a shaft 60, Figs. 1 and 14, provided w th pinion 61 at its rear end which meshes with beveled gear 36 on conveyor shaft 34, the rear end of shaft. being journaled in a bearing 62 adapted to turn concentrically on shaft 34. Shaft 60 extends forwardly along one side of the frame where t 18 30111 naled in bearing or collar 68 which 18 secured to one arm of bell crank lever 64:, the other arm of the lever being connected by link 65 to hand lever 66 arnanged within convenient reach of the operators seat. At bearing 63 shaft 60 is geared to the sprocket wheel 67 which is located immediately above chain 8 which drives the ground wheels. Hand lever 66 serves to raise and lower shaft 60 and sprocket 67, moving the latter in and out of mesh with chain 8, and when meshing therewith it imparts motion to the conveyor as will be understood.

For discharging the load in one place truck wheel a is lodged in the roller chair 68, as in dotted lines, Fig. 1, so that it may rotate without advancing the truck, thereby driving the conveyor and disc'hargi the load with the truck at a standstill. en the load is to be distributed along the roadway the sprocket 67 is simply-thrown into gear with chain 8 as the truck moves forward. I

While the improved truck is designed especially for dumping purposes it is well adapted for general service, the conveyor constituting a substantial bottom. As heretofore indicated, end gate 21 may be removed for hauling lumber .and other long pieces of material, the unloading of which is facilitated by roller 22. It will be understood that the removable chute 52 is applied only when it is desired to discharge the load at one side of the road-way.

The body and conveyor mechanisms are of such design as may be readily applied to various types and sizes of truck frames, and may be readily detached or demonnted whenever the chassis is required for other service.

I claim:

1. The combination of a truck frame, a bottomless body movable longitudinally thereof, an endless conveyor beneath and constituting a bottom for the body and movable independently of the latter, conveyor moving means, and means for limiting the rearward movement of the body.

2. The combination of a truck frame, a bottomless body movable longitudinally thereof, an endless conveyor beneath and constituting :a bottom for the body and movunderbody,

able independently of the latter, conveyor moving means, means for limiting the rearward movement of the body, and means for connecting the body to the conveyor for moving the body forwardly after it has been moved rearwardly for discharging the load.

3. The combination of a truck frame, a bottomless body mounted thereon and movable longitudinally thereof for projecting a portion of the body rearwardly beyond the frame, aconveyer movable bodily longitudinally and independently of the frame and constituting a bottom for the body for moving' the entire load 'rearwardly, the backwardly moving load causing the body to move rearwardly therewith, means for limiting the backward movement of the body, means carried by the truck for propelling the same, and means for operatively connecting the conveyer with the propelling means.

a. The combination of a truck frame, a bottomless body mounted thereon, a bottom for the body movable longitudinally of the latter for discharging the contents thereof, and means for shaking the body while the load is being discharged.

5. The combination of a truck frame, a bottomless body mounted thereon and movable longitudinally thereof, adjustable means for stopping the movement of the body for determining the length of the portion thereof projecting beyond the truck frame, a fioor for the body movable longitudinally of the latter and of the frame for discharging the contents of the body through the projected portion of the latter, and means for detachably securing together the body and said bottdm.

6. The combination of a truck frame, a body mounted on and movable longitudinally of the truck frame, a conveyor constituting a bottom for the body with the conveyer movable toward the rear end of the frame, conveyor driving means, and means for causing the conveyor to move rear wzardly either with or independently of the bod 7. The combination of a truck frame, a body mounted on and movable longitudinally of the frame, a bodily movable conveyor movable in reverse directions longitudinally of the frame independently of and constituting a bottom for the body, means limiting the backward movement of the means for det-achably connecting the conveyor and :body for moving the latter forwardly on the truck frame, and conveyor driving means.

8. The combination of a truck frame, a

for moving the load within the body toward the discharge end of the latter.

9. The combination of a truck frame, a chute at the rear end thereof for directlng discharging material away from the truck, a bottomless body movable longltudlnally of the truck frame and adapted at its rear end to be projected over the chute for discharging the load thereinto, an endless conveyer mounted in the truck frame and forming a bottom for the body and adapted to move the load backwardly and discharge it into the chute, a conveyer within the chute, and driving mechanism common to sald conveyers.

10. The combination of a truck frame, ground Wheels, ground wheel driving mechanism, a bottomless body mounted on and movable longitudinally of the frame, an endless conveyer mounted in the frame. and movable independently of the body, means operated by the ground wheel drlving mechanism for actuating the conveyer and thereby moving the body with a portion of the latter projecting beyond the frame.-

11. The combination of a truck frame, a bottomless body mounted on and -movable longitudinallyof the frame, an endless conveyer mounted in the frame and constitut ng a bottom for the body, means for drivlng the conveyer and thereby moving the bottomless body .to extend a portion thereof beyond the frame, and means for limit ng the movement of the body without stopping the,conveyer whereby the body contents are discharged from that portion of the body which does not extend beyond the end of the frame.

12. The combination of a truck frame, ground wheels, ground wheel driving mech anism mounted on the frame, a bottomless body mounted on and movable longitudinallv of the frame for projecting a portion of the body beyond the frame, an endless conveyer mounted in the frame and movable independently of and constituting a bottom for the body, and means actuated by the ground-wheel-driving mechanism for simultaneously moving the conveyer and the body either toward or from the rear end of the truck.

13. The combination of a truck frame, a bottomless body mounted thereon and movable longitudinally thereof to project a portion of the body rearwardly beyond the frame, an endless conveyer mounted in the frame and constituting a bottom for the body, means for moving the conveyer in reverse directions with the load Within the body causing the body to move rearwardly on-the. frame, and means for connecting the body to the conveyer for moving the body in a forward direction.

14. The combination of a truck frame, a bottomless body mounted on the frame, an

endless conveyer mounted in the frame and forminga bottomfor the body and adapted to discharge the contents thereof, conveyer actuating means, and means for shaking the body while the load is being discharged therefrom.

15. The combination of a truck frame, a bottomless body mounted thereon, an endless conveyer mounted in the frame and formin a bottom for the body and adapted to discharge the contents thereof, conveyer actuating means, and means actuated by the conveyer for shaking the-body as the load discharges therefrom.

16. The combination of a truck frame, a bottomless body mounted thereon and movable longitudinally thereof, adjustable means for stop ing the movement of the body for determining the length of the portion projecting beyond the truck frame, an endless conveyer mounted in the frame and forming a bottom for the body for dis charging the contents thereof through its pro ected portion, means for moving the conveyer in reverse directions, and means for detachably securing the body to the conveyer.

17. The combination of a truck frame, a bottomless body mounted thereon and movable longitudinally thereof to roject a portion of the body beyond the rame, an endless conveyer mounted in the frame and forming a bottom for the body for discharging the contents thereof, means for moving the conveyer in reverse directions With the load in the body operating to move the body rearwardly, and a hook device on the body adapted to engage the conveyer for moving the body in a reverse direction.

18. The combination of a truck frame, a bottomless body mounted thereon and movable longitudinally thereof, hook devices carried by the body, stop devices projecting from the frame and adapted to be engaged by the hook devices, an endless reversely movable conveyer mounted in the frame and forming a bottom for discharging the contents thereof, and means for detachably securing the body to the conveyer.

19. The combination of a truck chassis, a horizontal supplemental frame superposed thereon, a bottomless body mounted on and movable longitudinally of the supplemental frame, an endless conveyer mounted in the supplemental frame and forming a bottom for the body and movable independently of the latter and combinin with the load to move the body rearwar ly on the supplemental frame, and means for moving the body forwardly on the supplemental frame.

20. The combination of a truck chassis, a horizontal supplemental frame superposed on the chassis, means adjustable transversely of the supplemental frame for securing said frame to the chassis, a bottomless body mounted on the supplemental frame, and an endless conveyer mounted in the supplemental frame and formin a bottom for the body and adapted to dlscharge the load therefrom.

21. The combination of a truck frame, ground wheels, a body movable on thetruck frame, means for limiting the movement of the body, an endless conveyer mounted on the frame andforming a bottom for the body and movable with the latter and also movable independently thereof after the body has reached the limit of its movement,

and actuating means common to the ground wheels and to the conveyer.

tit

22. In a truck, the combination of horizontal channel bars at opposite sides thereof, a bottomless body mounted on and movable longitudinally of the channel bars, an endless conveyer provided with rollers which travel on the channel flanges with the conveyer constituting a bottom for the body, and conveyer actuating means.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

DWIGHT GERBER.

Witnesses J. M. NEsBIT, F. E. GAITHER. 

